This auction is for the following Lt. Col. Robert “Rosie” Rosenthal JSA COA SIGNED RARE CUT that was been mated with an unsigned 8x10 photograph. The black mat measures 11x14 inches and the autograph has been JSA authenticated certification cert number #AM99975.

This signed cut has been authenticated by the most prestigious and respected authentication company in the hobby JSA Certification Cert Number #AM99975. Autographed items that have been authenticated by JSA adds and additional value to all signed items that bare the JSA COA authentication process.

PLEASE NOTE THAT LT. COL. ROBERT “ROSIE” ROSENTHAL IS ONE OF THE RAREST AUTOGRAPHS IN THE HOBBY. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO LOCATE AUTHENTIC LT. COL. ROSEHTHAL AUTOGRAPHS LIKE THIS ONE. THIS ITEM WOULD MAKE FOR A GREAT GIFT OR INVESTMENT.

On January 26^th, 2024 Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg will be releasing what they have called the third instalment of “Band of Brothers.” The new twelve part mini-series will be titled “Masters of The Air” based on Donald Miller’s book by the same name.

The key focus of the Masters of The Air will be on Lt. Col. Robert “Rosie” Rosenthal (Deceased 2007). Lt. Col. Rosenthal appears in 9 of the 12 mini-series he is being compared to Major Dick Winters in the “Maters of The Air” mini-series.

Unlike autographs from Band of Brothers Easy Company veterans and the HBO Pacific veterans who were still with us when those mini-series were released. Sadly all of the veterans from the new Masters of The Air veterans passed away before the miniseries was completed. Autographs for the actual veterans depicted the Masters of The Air passed away before the mini-series was completed. I have been completing historical and military autographs for the last 38 years and did obtain a hand of autographs from the veterans portrayed in the new mini-series Maters of The Air.

FYI: Lt. Col. Robert “Rosie” Rosenthal granted an autograph signing in 2002 with the company “Gathering of Eagles”. I acquired several of the authentic Lt. Col. Robert “Rosie” Rosenthal autographs years ago from the “Gathering of Eagles” company which I had JSA authenticated and mated with some rare photographs of Lt. Col. Rosenthal. I would expect for these Lt. Col. Rosenthal autographs to significantly increase in the near future matching the value of Major Dick Winters autographs that sell for $1,500-$2,500. Please keep in mind Lt. Col. Robert “Rosie” signed fewer autographs in his lifetime that Major Dick Winters did.

BIO: Lt. Col. Robert “Rosie” Rosenthal was B-17 Pilot and a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross (2^nd highest military decoration) or Silver Star (3^rd highest military decoration). A and B-17 bomber Pilot. A highly decorated Officer of the Eighth Air Force of the United States Army Air Forces in World War II, he received sixteen awards including the Distinguished Service Cross for "extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against the enemy," the Silver Star (with oak leaf cluster) for "gallantry in action," the Distinguished Flying Cross (with oak leaf cluster) for "heroism or extraordinary achievement during aerial flight", the Air Medal (with seven clusters) and the Purple Heart (with cluster), as well as the Distinguished Flying Cross from Great Britain and the Croix de Guerre from France.

Rosenthal was a graduate of Brooklyn College and Brooklyn Law School, and had been working at a law firm in Manhattan when the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked Pearl Harbor. He enlisted in the United States Army on December 8, 1941, and requested to be trained for combat. In August 1943 he joined the 418th Squadron of the 100th Bombardment Group, stationed at Thorpe Abbotts in England, as a pilot and aircraft commander of a B-17 Flying Fortress crew. In March 1944, Rosenthal's crew, nicknamed "Rosie's Riveters", with their B-17F, serial number 42-30758 bearing the same name, completed their 25-mission combat tour and returned to the United States, but Rosenthal extended his tour, eventually flying a total of 52 missions. He later became commanding officer of the 350th and 418th Bombardment Squadrons.

On only his third mission with the 100th Bombardment Group, out of 13 B-17s on an October 10, 1943 mission over Münster, the Royal Flush B-17F (USAAF s/n 42-6087)[1] that Rosenthal's crew was flying that day; was the only plane to return, with two engines dead, the intercom and the oxygen system non-functional, and with a large ragged hole in the right wing.

In September 1944, Rosenthal's plane was shot down over German-occupied France, and he broke his right arm and nose. He was rescued by the Free French and returned to duty as soon as he had healed. On his next to last mission on February 3, 1945, Rosenthal led a mission to bomb Berlin. Although his bomber was in flames from a direct hit, he continued to the target to drop his payload; then stayed with the plane until after the rest of the crew had bailed out, just before it exploded at an altitude of only about 1,000 feet (about 300 meters). He was recovered by the Red Army and again returned to duty. This raid killed Roland Freisler, the notorious "hanging judge" of the Third Reich's Volksgerichtshof.

After the war, Rosenthal served as an assistant to the U.S. prosecutor at the Nuremberg trials, where he interrogated Hermann Göring. Lt. Col. Rosenthal is also a receipt of the Distinguished Service Cross (2nd highest military decoration), 2 Silver Stars (3rd highest military decoration), 2 Distinguished Flying Cross, 2 Purple Hearts, 8 Air Medal (8) Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom) and the elite Croix de Guerre (France).

Distinguished Service Cross Citation:

Lt. Col. Robert Rosenthal 8th Air Force, Recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross (2^nd highest military decoration) for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 418th Bombardment Squadron, 100th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission on February 3^rd, 1945, against enemy targets in the European Theater of Operations. The personal courage and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Major Rosenthal on this occasion have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

1^st Silver Star Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Robert "Rosie" Rosenthal (ASN: 0-792349), United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 418th Bombardment Squadron, 100th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in a bombing mission over Germany, on 10 October 1943. Prior to reaching the objective, one engine of his aircraft was knocked out and other serious damage sustained during vicious assaults by enemy fighters. Thought subjected to constant attack and intense anti-aircraft fire, Lieutenant Rosenthal continued on to the target and bombed and bombed it successfully. When unable to remain with the formation on leaving the target area, his aircraft became the object of concentrated attacks by enemy planes. Another engine was knocked out, the oxygen system almost completely destroyed, the wing badly damaged and two gunner seriously wounded. Maneuvering his crippled aircraft with great skill, Lieutenant Rosenthal fought his way back to England and made a safe landing. The gallantry, tenacity of purpose and flying skill displayed by Lieutenant Rosenthal on this occasion reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

2^nd Silver Star Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major (Air Corps) Robert "Rosie" Rosenthal (ASN: 0-792349), United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a B-17 Heavy Bomber in the 418th Bombardment Squadron, 100th Bombardment Group (H), EIGHTH Air Force, while participating in bombing missions over enemy territory from 3 October 1943 to 10 September 1944. As, Combat Pilot and later at various times, Lead Pilot for his Squadron, Group and Combat Wing. Major Rosenthal completed an unusually large number of hazardous missions. On 10 September 1944, while over Germany enemy ground fire knocked out two engines and heavily damaged his aircraft. Alone and unescorted, he skillfully maneuvered his battered plane back to friendly territory, where he made a successful crash landing. In the face of determined opposition, Major Rosenthal's complete disregard for personnel safety, devotion to duty and combat skill have been a constant source of inspiration to all flying with him.

THIS IS AN AUTHENTIC HAND AUTOGRAPHED ROBERT “ROSIE” ROSENTHAL SIGEND JSA COA CUT. I ONLY SELL AUTHENTIC HAND AUTOGRAPHED MEMORABILIA. This cut is mated with an 8x10 photograph and the black mat measures 11x14 inches. I do not sell reprints or facsimile autographs. When you bid on my items you will receive the real deal authentic hand autographed items. You will receive the same JSA COA autograph that is pictured in the scan. If you have any questions feel free to message me. I combine S&H when multiple items are purchased. I ship items internationally the price for international S&H varies by country. I currently have other rare autographed historical and sports signed items available. Please take a look at my other auctions of rare military, historical and sports autographed items